A chef featured on GORDON RAMSAY‘s show KITCHEN NIGHTMARES was eerily found floating in the Hudson River after committing suicide by jumping off the George Washington Bridge.
Joseph Cerniglia, 39, a New Jersey restaurateur, owner of Campania in Fair Lawn, N.J.is the second chef to kill himself after appearing on Ramsay’s hellish, reality-cooking series.
Former owner of Gallagher’s Steak House in Manhattan, Cerniglia was deeply in debt when his eatery was showcased on Kitchen Nightmares in 2007.
On the show, foul-mouthed celebrity diva Ramsay verbally abuses restaurateurs in hopes of turning their failing business around.
"Your business is about to f–ing swim down the Hudson," the Ramsay had slammed the hapless Cerniglia.
Ramsay lit into the failing bistro owner about portions, poor quality, dreadful service and the juvenile antics of his kitchen staff.
Cerniglia’s wife Melissa cried on the air, "If this business fails, we will lose everything."
With Ramasy’s help the restaurant revamped and survived the massive $80,000 debt they had incurred.
With many patrons telling NY media the restaurant was in fact thriving the real reason behind the Cerniglia’s suicide remains unclear.
NYPD revealed said a motorist called 911 after witnessing a man standing on the George Washington Bridge just before 1 p.m., September, 24th.
Cerniglia’s body was later recovered from the river.
Ramasy’s rep said the cooking kingin was "on a plane last night and not immediately available for comment".
